Scan barcode
bass_clarinet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness, Torture, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: War
jsantorp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
powellki's review against another edition
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
mheath31's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's pretty much all true, but I think I might've made it worse in my head? It's hard to tell now that I'm on the other side, living this post-Hyperion life. If you've read anything about this book, you know it's a collection of short stories within the same universe revolving around the world of Hyperion and the mystical Shrike creature that promises to bring pain to humanity.
The first two stories, are probably the most graphic / grotesque. I learned my lesson about reading it at night. I'd say, if the Shrike shows up, just put the book down and go to bed.
The other thing about this book is that it's hard sci fi. I'll admit that I got a little confused by some of the players and concepts at the end. I'm actually excited to loan it out so that I can get insight from another reader. I'll also probably read it again. There's a ton of focus on time and a few theories within the book that aren't cleared up in the end, but I suspect to resolve in the second book.
In summary, walk, don't run, to pick up Hyperion. And by walk, I mean, walk slowly whilst preparing yourself for some intensity and some very violent scenes. But, ultimately, get ready for some great writing and amazing storytelling.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident and Pregnancy
giant_manta_ray's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Sexual content, and Torture
captainpash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
ailsaod's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Hyperion is inspired by the Tales of Canterbury (which I only have a vague idea of what they are to be honest) and consists of a group of 'pilgrims' from different backgrounds travelling together and telling each other their life stories. So far sounds boring, except all these people have some kind of horror element in their backstory, some of which I found interesting but others were unpleasant to read. I would strongly recommend looking up the content warnings for this book as it covers a wide range of topics people might have difficulty with. I personally really struggled with the soldier's story as sexual horror is something I avoid and some of the things in that section were a bit much for me (understatement of the year!).
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, and War
Minor: Drug use and Sexism
cynthetic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and War
manatad's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hyperion was very different from the other books I have read so far this year. The main plot taking place within the present timeline of the novel takes more of a secondary role compared to the backstories of each of the seven main characters, whose personal vignettes make up the bulk of the novel. Each of these embedded narratives is written in a different style and tone, each one as distinct as the character it is associated with. Gradually, the mysteries of the main characters' motivations, the interstellar society they come from, and the dark entity awaiting their arrival on the planet Hyperion, are revealed to us readers before the narrative cuts off abruptly at the end of the book, making it necessary to read the sequel if one wishes to see the story to its conclusion.
I wasn't as bothered by the ending as my previous statement may imply because I found the entire book to be thoroughly enjoyable on its own. I think that the prose of the novel, particularly during the "Hyperion Cantos" section, feels consistently inspired, and I appreciate the numerous references to modernist poetry and classical epics. Dan Simmons explains just enough about the science and mechanics of his fictional universe to leave me feeling intrigued and not bored or very stupid. (I'm not even going to pretend I know enough about physics to tell the difference between what's real and what's speculative in these older science fiction novels.) And best of all, his descriptions of the various planets visited throughout the book, from their unique flora and fauna to the color of their skies, inspired so much wonder in me.
This is definitely a book that I think would benefit from a second reading by me at some point in the future. I'd like to spend more time thinking over what the strongest and weakest aspects of the story are, and to notice if there was anything I missed or glazed over on my brisk first read. Overall, I thought it was a refreshing novel, but I'm not sure precisely what kind of person I would recommend it to. I think there may be a glint of true literary merit to be seen here, but I couldn't recommend this book to anyone who isn't a true sci fi/space opera lover.
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Death, Drug use, Torture, and Medical content
placeswebreathe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicide, Torture, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Xenophobia and War